Self-leveling apparatus for furniture.



vNo. 769,144.

y PATENTED SEPT. e, 190A. G. W. R R. W.B0STWIGK. SELP LEVERING APPARATUS PoR FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1903.

3 SHEETS- SHEET 1.v 4

No MODEL.

Q00.. .Nr QN.. O

15.769,144. A PATENTED SEPT. s, 1904. G. W. & R. W. BOSTWICK.

SELF LBVELING APPARATUS FOR FURNITUR AyPLIoATIoN FILED un. 1. 190s. v

. N0 MODEL. TS-SHEET 2.

No. 769,144. PATENTPD SPPT. 6 l1904.

, G. W. S R. W. BOSTWIGK. SPLP LPVPLING APPARATUS PoR PURNITURE.

APPLIoATxoN PILPD APR. 1. 190s. i VNo MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UNITED STATES Patented September 6, 1904,

PATENT OFFICE.

GRANT W.v BOSTWICK AND ROBERT W. BOSTWICK, OF PITTSBURG,

. PENNSYLVANIA.

sELF-LEvELlNe APPARATUS FoFURNlTuRE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 769,144, dated September 6, 1904. Application filed April I, 1903. Serial'No. 150,575. (Nc model.)

T all whom, zl'l; may concern."

Be it known that we, GRANT W. Bos'rwrcK and ROBERT W. Bos'rWIoK, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the.

countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Self-Leveling Apparatus for l Furniture, of whichthe following is a specil on the line II II thereof.

l the controlling frame and its connected counterweights, showing the arrangement of a series of gravity-controlled berths. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view on the line VI VI of Fig. 5, showing a series of berths in their normal position and indicating in ldotted lines the varying positions of the berths and of the gravity-actuated controlling means. y

Our invention relates toimprovements in self-leveling furniture-such as berths, tables,

chairs, te-with particular reference to the application to furniture as used on floating vessels or other similar structures subject to.

Variation from a horizontal position as to deck or floor levels.

The objects in View have been to provide a central supporting element adapted to support the berth or other structure and to normally conform to and be maintained in a vertical position independent of its supporting foundation. V

The invention also refers to means whereby a series or plurality of such vertical supporting devices are simultaneouslycontrolled and maintained, so that the upper supporting structure will be-constantlyheld in a hori- Zontal position.,

Referring n ow to the drawings, 2 represents the floor or deck of a vessel,upon which rests a coniform upwardly-projecting hollow support 3, preferably formed of cast metal, eithersolid or of othersuitable design, in the upperportion of which is provided the ballbearing 4L, having interior spherical surfaces. These ball-bearing terminals are preferably separable and sodesigned as to permit of the easy assemblage of the parts and `with sufficient clearance above and below to provide for the oscillation of frame 3 around the center supporting-stem '5.V This stem is provided with a sphere or ball 6secured to or formed integral with the stem andadapted to neatly lit into the interior of the ball-bearing support 4, the stem extending" upwardly and downwardly, as clearly shown, and supports at its upper end the article of-furniture, as a berth 7, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. As. thus constructed it will beseen that if the stem 5 is maintained in avertical position independent of the ,movement of the deck and its supporting-bearings` 3 the deck may rise and fall at any point either longitudinally, laterally, or otherwise and that the berth 7 will remain level.

We will now describethe means by which the stern 5 is maintained in a vertical position.

The lower end of the stem 5 terminates in a ball 8, which is engaged by a surrounding 'ball-bearing 9 of any suitable design or any other equivalent construction adapted to provide for free movement and oscillation, and with which ball-bearing are connected the rods or other elements 10 of a lower depending regulating-framework, by Which'the stem 5 is always maintainedlin atrue vertical position.

I As shown in Fig. 5, the rods l() of theframe diverge in opposite directions from the bearings 8 both longitudinally and laterally and are connected in oiie entire structure by a surrounding similar frame 11, while diagonal truss-rods 12 or any other suitable bracing elements are incorporated with the frame, so as to provide a rigid foundation on a normallyhorizontal plane. A series of berths are assembled and connected with such controlling-framework, although it will be readily understood that a single berth or any desired number may be similarly arranged, according to the dimensions or design of the vessel or other structure, and that they may also be arranged in a continuous line, if desired, and we have not considered it necessary to show such various arrangements, as they are more properly within the province of the designing engineer or builder. At the cornei of the controlling-frame ork and at intermediate positions, if desired, or at any other suitable point are located supporting stems or rods 13, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6, provided at their upper portion with balls 14, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6, or their equivalent adapted to engage in universal or ball bearings 15, of any suitable design, but so arranged that they will be located on the same plane as the ball-bearings 4 and ball 6. If desired, the bearings may be also provided with an interior roll of small bearing-balls, the supporting-framework being hollowed out in a manner similar to support 3 to permit movement of the bearing 15 with relation to ball 14 of the stem 13, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6. These stems 13 are provided with supportingballs 16 or their equivalent, around which are assembled the embracing ball-bearings 17 of the controlling-framework or other equivalent operative construction, either at the corner or intermediate positions, and by which bearings the framework is partially supported. It will also be understood that a portion of the weight of the framework is carried by the depending ball 3 of the stem 5. To the lower end of the stems 13 are attached the gravity weights or balls 18, of suitable weight and design to suit varying conditions of each particular case, but preferably of several hundredweight, so as to provide effective inertia. Any independent lateral movement of the stems 13 or 5 with relation to the frame is prevented by the engagement of bearings 17 and 9, and it will be understood that these bearings are accurately fitted and adjusted, so as to take up all lost motion and wear. As thus constructed it will be seen that the weights 18 will constantly tend to hold the stems 13 in a vertical position by reason of the fact that they exert the force of gravity through the frame 11, and all of the stems are connected to and by said rigid frame 11. It will also be seen that the force of each weight will be exerted throughout the framework in every direction, so as to correct any tendency of the stems to assume other than a vertical position, and it also follows that the stems 5 will be absolutely controlled by the rigid frame and will maintain a vertical position. This is due not only to the accumulated inertial force of the connected weights, but also to the excessive leverage which results from their joint and simultaneous operation exerted through the frame ina lateral direction against the lower ends of stems The leverage of the frame as thus constructed is proportionally greater than any tendency of the stems 5 or their supporting furniture to deviate from vertical or horizontal positions, respectively, independent of whatever load is carried by the furniture or however distributed.

The ends of the berth are preferably protected by guards or shields 19, and the back is protected by a similar shield 20, of wirenetting or any other similar material, the top also being covered, if preferred. Such end and back guides are slanted upwardly and inwardly, so that when the surrounding walls exterior to the berth 7 move in conformity with the vessel the occupant will be prolaicted from contact, as will also these portions of the berth. At the back portion the berth is provided with downwardly-extending fenders 21, of suitable material, metal, preferably curved, (from center of the ball (5,) as shown in Fig. 1, against which the back of the stateroom will bear, but fiee to move in any direction, while maintaining the berth in alinement with the back walland preventing` rotation.

` We are aware that self-leveling devices for furniture have been patented wherein a counterweight is attached to a vertical supporting-stem, but believe that we are the iii-st to provide the mechanism shown and described, whereby the corrective inertial action of a frame and a series of surrounding connected weights is applied to one or a number of pendently-supported stems.

The operation is obvious from the foregoing description.

The advantages of the invention will be appreciated by all those who are skilled in the art. It is very efiicient, simple, durable, and inexpensive and is capable of installation without interference with the head room under the deck, while requiring but a minimum of space either above or below.

When used with berths, as shown and described, tlie controlling-frame may be assembled below the Hoor and above the lower ceiling' of the deck or below the ceiling and the connected elements, so designed as to avoid contact or interference with the deck structure.

Changes and variations may be made in the IIO said bearing-support, substantially as set forth.

2. In self-leveling apparatus, the combination with a supporting-stem provided with a universal-bearing support and a downwardlyextending terminal,l of a gravity-actuated controlling-frame having a universal joint in engagem ent with said stem and supporting means suspended from bearings and connected with* the frame on the same planes respectively as said bearings, substantially as set forth.

3. In self-leveling apparatus, the combination with a supporting-stem provided with a". universal-bearing support and a downward universal-bearing support and a downward extension, of a gravity-actuated controllingframe in engagement with the stem, and a series of independently-supported depending weights connected with the frame, substantially as set forth.

5. In self-leveling apparatus, the combination with a supporting-stem provided with a .universal-bearing support and a downward extension, of a gravity-actuated controllingframe in engagement with the stem, and a series of universally and independently supported weights having universal-joint connections with the frame, substantially as set forth.

6. A self-leveling berth consisting of a vertical stemprovided with a bearing-ball, a hollow coniform socket-support therefor, and a berth supported upon the upper end of the stem and provided with downwardly-extending fenders at its back, with meansl for -maintaining the stem in a vertical position, substantially as set forth.

7. A self-leveling berth consisting of a stem provided with a bearing-ball, a hollow coniform supporting-socket therefor, a berth supported at the top of the vstem provided with back and end protecting-shields, and downwardly-extending fenders, with means for maintaining the stern in a vertical position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our Signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GRANT W. BOSTWICK. ROBERT W, BOSTWIOK. Witnesses: f

THos. B. MCKAIG, 1). O. BLACK. 

